Eating Smarter
Now more than ever kids, adults, families need to be eating nutritious foods. With families on the go, the economy adding more demands on the budget and food prices continuing to rise we need to take care of our health.
Now more than ever kids, adults, and families need to be eating nutritious foods . With families on the go, the economy adding more demands on the budget and food prices continuing to rise we need to take care of our health.
Unfortunately unhealthy food is also the cheapest foods but if you form a budget with perspective you will plan healthy menus that will keep you fit and out of those doctors’ offices where single co-pay can cost up upwards of $25.00 a visit.
Lunch time can often be rushed due to meetings at work, carpool, yard work, or errands- what ever your set back for a good lunch, proper planning can make grabbing a quick lunch a healthy one. At weeks beginning, (maybe Sunday night) throw together some nutritious foods, such as salad Cut up a mixture of different kinds of lettuce leafs and divide into small containers. Dice up some chicken or turkey and put these in small containers, then in some small sandwich bags put some trail mix, nuts, and or cranraisins. Now you can mix and spice up an ordinary salad by throwing a few of these items together and you are ready to go- a healthy lunch, and because you already have the salad in a small container you can take it to go if needs be.
The process of preparing a head of time can also be applied to vegetables, lettuce leaves, and some fruits. Keeping a variety of cut up items in small containers allows you to mix and blend in different flavors with each meal all while keeping the prep work to a minimum around dinner time.
Grapes, strawberries, and sliced apples, make a great fruit cup. Jell-O wigglers, and or pudding also makes for a fun snack favorite and with some fat free cool whip you have got yourself some new snack favorites.
If your dinner time is a hectic one, you might assign a different child to help plan and or prepare a meal a certain night of the week. You could also assign different members in the family a part of the meal, say the vegetables, or the drink- divide and conquer is what works best at our home, do what will work best for yours.
Mini wraps are another favorite and require little effort; all you need is some tortillas, sandwich meat, lettuce, cheese, some cherry tomatoes and maybe a shredded carrot or two- put these all in small bowls and let the kids build a wrap their way. (This also works well with pita bread).
Big hint: Keep a variety of fruits and vegetables on hand, and do let the kids snack time be an exploration of fun. If you find yourself on the run protein bars can be a great snack and filling too.